Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain Trek (6D/5N)

The Vilcanota Mountain range is an impressive range of mountains, which include the massive Mountain Ausangate (6370m). It is an excellent trekking country offering the travelers a combination of spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, hot springs, glaciers, herds of llamas, alpacas and local Quechua farming weaving communities who are still living almost like in the Inca time. This beautiful five days trek combines the traditional Ausangate route with Vinincunca Rainbow Mountain start at the small village of Tinki and finished by the Pacchanta hot spring.
This trek is recommended for people who want to experience the nature and exploring the less popular trails.

DAY 1: Cusco - Tinki - Upis

Pick up from your hotel in Cusco is at 05:00am. A private transport will drive us along the Cusco-Puerto Maldonado highway to the village of Tinki (3800m). On the way, we pass through the villages Urcos, Ccatca and outlying communities to finally reach Ocongate. Here we will have the chance for last minute purchases. It will take us 40 minutes with our transport to get to Tinki. Here we are going to start to hike a slight climb across the wide open pampas above the tree line, passing small settlements of herders and weaver to reach our lunch place after a 3 hours walk. From here, we already have beautiful views of Ausangate peak (6370m). We will continue walking for another 2 hours to finally reach our first campsite in Upis (4400m). From the campsite, we will have a nice view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

Maximum Altitude: 4400m

Minimum altitude: 3800m

Trekking distance: 8-9 km

Estimate time: 5-6 hours

DAY 2: Upis - Puka Cocha Pass - Ananta

We will set off early morning after breakfast. We will slowly ascend to Upispampa, getting closer to the north face of Ausangate. It will take us almost 3 hours to get to Arapa Pass (4,950m). On our way we can appreciate how beautiful and grand the geography is in this part of the southern Andes. Once we enjoyed the magnificent views from the pass, we will slowly descend to the lunch spot, passing the valley of Samana cancha to arrive to Lake Puka cocha below one of the Ausangate glacier a beautiful blue lake at (4,575m). A slow ascend for about 2 hours will bring us to the second pass Puka cocha pass (5000m). From here, we will start to descend to our second base camp - Ananta (4400m) - for about one hour. The campsite is very beautiful with a view of the southern face of Ausangate covered with glacial formation.

Maximum Altitude: 5000m

Minimum altitude: 4400m

Trekking distance: 13-14 km

Estimate time: 6-7 hours

DAY 3: Ananta - Rainbow Mountain - Ausangate Cocha

We start this day with an ascend about 3 hours up to Chilca Pass (5050m).From where we will have the first view of the amazing Rainbow Mountain in the distance. Then we go down through the valley until to reach the final uphill to the Rainbow Mountain (5200m) with views of snowy peaks in the close distance and facing the famous colorful natural Attraction Mountain in Peru. Lunch will be served in the surrounding area, enjoying the spectacular views and relax a bit, then we will head to our camp for the night.

Minimum altitude: 4400m

Trekking distance: 16-17 km

Estimate time: 7-8 hours

DAY 4: Ausangate Cocha - Palomni Pass - Jampa

After an energetic breakfast, we will start climbing up for about 3 hours to Palomni Pass (5200m). From here, we will start to descend into the valley where we will rest and have lunch. A nice walk down the valley with Ausangate Mountain behind us. Finally, we will arrive to Jampa (4600m) valley for the overnight.

Maximum Altitude: 5200m

Minimum altitude: 4600m

Trekking distance: 15-16 km

Estimate time: 6-7 hours

DAY 5: Jampa - Pacchanta

On the fifth day, we will wake you up early morning to have breakfast. After breakfast, we will start walking thought the Jampa small community for about 3 hours. We head to the last pass of our hike, Jampa pass (4855m). Along the way, we will enjoy different colored lakes, views of the Ausangate Mountain from different angle and lunch beside of this beautiful area. After lunch, we will continue 2 more hours to our last camp Pacchanta (4300m) where we can enjoy the thermal spring and free afternoon to explore the highland community.

Maximum Altitude: 4855m

Minimum altitude: 4300m

Trekking distance: 14-16 km

Estimate time: 7-8 hours

DAY 6: Pacchanta - Cusco

Early morning after breakfast we will continue by the easy trail to Tinki for about 2 hours. Here we will be served lunch before taking our private transport back to your hotel in Cusco.

Maximum Altitude: 4300m

Minimum altitude: 3800m

Trekking distance: 5-6 km

Estimate time: 2-3 hours

SERVICE INCLUDED:

Pre departure briefing directly at your Hotel

Transport: Private transportation from Cusco (hotel) to start of the trek. Private transportation from the end of the trek to Cusco.

Meals: 03 breakfast, 03 lunches, 03 dinners + daily morning snack. food is includes pancakes, omelets, soup, fresh fruits, chicken,fish,meat,rice pasta and hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is very effective against altitude sickness. Tea time every afternoon tea, coffee, and popcorn. We can also provide vegetarian meals and special diets. Just let us know in advance or during the briefing on the evening before the trekking.

Every morning and afternoon warm water to clean yourself up.

English speaking professional guide (two Guides for 8 people of over 8 people)

Horsemen and horses to carry the tents,food,cooking equipment and your personal equipment such as mattress, sleeping bag and clothing to change. A maximum of 8 Kilos per person. An emergency horse in case someone needs help and is not able to continue walking.

Camping equipment: Two people will always share a spacious four people dome igloo tent with plenty of spaces for your backpack. Cooking equipment dining tent kitchen tent, first aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

One inflatable sleeping pad per person

Toilet tents with biodegradable toilet facilities

Filtered boiled water from 2nd day onwards

Bio-degradable hand soaps

Entrance fees to the communities

SERVICE NOT INCLUDED:

First breakfast (day one)

Sleeping bag (25 US$ to rent)

Tips: Please note that our company staff is well paid so feel free to tip or not as you wish